"Wait," I said "Wait!! Wait!! Go to Austin! Please!! My family lives there!!! They're gonna kill them!! Save them please!!!" I start freaking out and began shaking violently.
I realize that I disobeyed and freed myself from the gang, so now they're going to take my family away.
"Please!! Please!!!!" I cried out.
April backs further away from me as the officers pick me up "Come on, you're under arrest"
"Save my family! Save the children at the warehouse!!" I shouted while shaking and panicking "Please save them!!"
The news of the gang and I starts broadcasting live all around the US.
"We have breaking news, the notorious criminal gang responsible for a string of kidnappings in Houston, Texas has been dismantled following the arrest of Vick Cross, who played a significant role in the gang's operations"
Everywhere. It was live everywhere.
"Authorities believe Cross was involved in numerous crimes"
An interviewee shouts while crying "That mother fucker! Vick Cross!! I watched him take my child away!! You have to do something about it!!! You have to give him the death penalty!!! Kill him, kill him!!!"
UNDERGROUND, WAREHOUSE, NIGHT
Officers slams through the doors of an old warehouse, getting in a shootout between the gang and the police.
"Requesting backup and SWAT assistance at the YPH Warehouse on Kimberly Street!! We have multiple suspects and heavy gunfire!!" An officer shouted in his comm radio.
He peeks his head out to aim but is shot in the head.
The SWAT team barges the doors to the underground dungeon as the little boys and girls cry for help "Help!!!" "Officer!!" "Help me, please!!" "Save us!!" They all screamed out.
They break out all the children and rush upstairs. The shootout continues until "All units, deadly force may be required, stay alert!!"
The gunshots were as loud as a battlefield. The SWAT teams use deadly force against the gang members, wiping them down one by one.
A squad of police officers take the children to safety outside the building "It's gonna be okay! You're all safe now!" The officer shouts.
"There might be more kids in there!" Another officer informed.
"Don't worry, the SWAT teams are still in there. Wherever they are, they'll find them!"
Veronica is in front of the children along with other high schoolers "We're finally...free" she said while looking up at the sunset.
Another high schooler walks into Veronica's view as she comments "Are we free? Are we?" Her tears slowly streams down her face. It's Emily.
While watching the helicopters in the sky flying toward their direction, Emily kept an enraged expression as revenge consumes her mind; revenge to kill Vick Cross.
TRAUMA OF '89
VOLUME 1, CHAPTER 2, LOVE TO HATE
WEEKS AGO, APRIL 7, 1989
I entered the campus with a group of friends, Priscilla, Yuna, and Phil. We're all going out together in two weeks with my other friend, April, and her boyfriend, Omar.
We're going to a concert downtown; my favorite artists will be there to perform.
It's been a few days since I met the boy that I want to marry; Alan Becker. He's all I've been thinking about every day and every night.
"I'd swap lives with the Joker honestly," Phil says, which snaps me out of my mind.
"Joker!? Why the heck would you wanna be Joker?" Priscilla asked.
"What are you guys talking about?" I asked.
"If you could swap lives with any fictional character, who would it be?" Yuna answered.
"I want to experience his rough mental health illnesses," Phil added.
Priscilla lightly pushes him "Why? When you already have an illness"
"Shut up, kid" Phil countered as the others laughed.
I didn't. I find Phil very annoying, though he could be funny at times.
My eyes turns around the corner as I catch someone staring at me in the distance. It's Alan.
That's when I started to smile, and Yuna notices me "There you go again, girl" she smirks "What's wrong with you?"
"I don't know" I respond, still smiling.
Alan waves at me with an innocent smile and I wave back.
The first time we met was on the 3rd of April. We ran into each other at the library.
THE LIBRARY, DAYS BEFORE
At the library, I was searching for a new book to read because I finished "The Love Hypothesis" last week. I pass by Alan looking at Stephen King books.
I didn't think much of him, except for his hairstyle. It's like they say, hair is like make-up, but for men. His face was always so clean that it makes me wonder if he uses any girls' skincare products.
It took me a while and a few laps around the shelves to find something that looked interesting. As I was about to reach for the book, Alan came from behind me to grab the same book.
We both stared at each other for a few seconds as my heart started to beat fast.
I thought to myself "This only happens in movies"
It really felt like the whole world just paused and only me and him was at the center of the world.
But then it became too awkward and I tried to break the awkwardness by looking away and asking "You like romantic novels?"
"Yes, I do. I read a lot of them" he lets go of the book and chuckles "I'm Alan"
"H- hi Alan. I'm Emily" I replied, stuttering "I didn't know you read these kinds of books," I added.
"Of course you don't, I don't even know you, silly" he smiled.
I can feel my face getting hot and my hands start to flutter "I- I'll get going" I couldn't take it anymore and just want it to stop.
Part of me wants to get to know him more, but I'm so awkward. I took the book from the shelf and tried walking away, but he gently grabbed my sleeves.
"Wait," he said.
"Do you want to hang out with me at lunch?" he asked.
I didn't want to turn around because I knew I was blushing so badly at this point "Maybe" I answered and walked away.
I checked out my book and walked out of the library, fast. I wanted to scream into a pillow because I'm so red and blushing and I'm going insane and crazy "Who was that!?" Priscilla jumps out the from behind a wall and scares me.
"Jesus!! Priscilla! Don't scare me like that!" I shouted while jumping.
"Ahahahahahah!!" She makes her usual ugly laugh.
"I don't know, but..." I couldn't speak.
"Mhm, but?" She tries to nudge me to spill the tea.
"I'll tell you later" I excuse myself and walk away from her while holding my book.
"Emily!" She shouts from the distance behind me, but I ignore her calls "Emily!"
As I hurried down the hall, I couldn't shake the feeling of Alan's eyes on me. My heart continues to pound in my chest, and my mind raced with a hundred questions. Why did he ask me to lunch? Does he like me?
"What the fuck. That bitch" Priscilla uttered beneath her breath.
I almost stumbled over my feet when I passed the stairs, and I had to quickly steady myself.
I turn the corner suddenly bump into someone.
I looked up and met the eyes of Phil.
"Move it!" I shouted out, trying to make an escape from Priscilla.
"Whoa, slow down, Emily. Are you in a hurry to or something?" He laughs.
"Uh, just…busy," I said, fidgeting with the edges of the book I was holding.
He raises an eyebrow "Yeah, looks like it. You seem in a bit of a rush. Something on your mind?"
"Phil, just move!" I say quickly "I need to go to class." I push past him.
Later at lunch, on my plate was stale pizza. I was a bit disappointed about the lunch until Alan appears in front of me with a McDonald's bag.
"McDonald's!?" I shouted in excitement, embarrassing myself in front of the whole cafeteria.
I gasp and cover my mouth with both my hands. Alan giggles and reaches for my hands and leads me the way, which made my heart skip a beat.
"Alan" I say, blushing.
"Don't worry, it wasn't that embarrassing" he said in a playful tone "You're too cute"
I couldn't believe how flustered I was "A- Alan," my words fell apart.
"Let's go outside" he says.
We walked outside and sat on a bench where we had a nice conversation getting to know each other. We had so many things in common that I thought he was my long-lost twin. How could a guy have an interest in girlie stuff? Impossible, right?
He liked things like shopping, rom-com movies, and even collecting magazines about make-up and style.
Alan laughed "Well, not all guys are the same, are we? I can appreciate the little things. Besides, what's wrong with enjoying something that makes you happy?"
I blinked.
As the conversation continues, I catch myself smiling too much, feeling my heart race every time his hand brushed against mine. This is crazy, I thought, but I kind of like it.
When lunch ended, he walked me to class. "I had a fun time with you, Alan," I said.
"Me too," he smiled.
His smile makes me nervous. I want him to keep smiling. I want to be with him more often.
"See you tomorrow" he leaves.
APRIL 7, TODAY
Today is my chance to ask him out.
"Joker was going through a crisis, Priscilla!" Phil continued to shout.
"No, didn't he fall in a tank full of liquid that turned him into Joker???" Priscilla asked.
"Alan!" I shouted and ran towards him.
"Hey Emily!" his face brightened up as I briefly hug him.
"Do you want to come over today?" he asked.
"Yeah, sure," I answered.
Every day, I would come over to his house and enjoy a meal with him, play video games with him, and spend time with him. It felt like we were already dating and everything. One thing that I'm proud of is we haven't had a one night stand. We haven't even touched each other like that at all.
"I got in trouble with my parents when I came home at night," I laughed.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you had a curfew" he apologized.
I fell asleep in his bed that day. It already felt like we were a couple. My friends can see it too, except Phil. I think he's jealous that I'm in love with Alan instead of him. But, it doesn't matter. What's he gonna do about it
Then Alan surprises me "Actually, do you want to go to your house instead? I want to meet your parents" he asked.
Wait, why? Why did he switch? Why does he want to come to my house instead? Why does he want to meet my parents? Does he like me!?
"Okay," I answered.
I didn't care. I wanted my family to get to know him anyways. I could feel it; my dreams coming true. Today will be the day it becomes official!
HOME
"Nice house" he says.
We stood outside the house, enough distance to see the roof down to the porch.
I live in a two-story house with my cousin, Yuna, younger brother, Grayson, and both my mom and dad. Yuna moved in a year ago after both her mom and dad passed away in a brutal car crash. Ever since then, she's been healing with us, trying to forget the painful memories and remember the good ones.
I unlock the doors to find my parents already cooking dinner.
"Welcome home, Emily!" my mom greeted me "Hi!" I greeted back.
"Who might this young man be?" my mom asked "Is he the boy you've been crushing on?"
My face instantly turn as red as a tomato "Mom!" I whispered-shouted.
She laughs and welcomes him inside.
"I'm Alan Becker" he smiled "You must be Emily's mom, Mrs. Grant"
"Yes, I am! Come on in!" she gestures for him to enter the house and come in the kitchen.
"I'm making casseroles" I can hear my mom saying to Alan as they walk in the kitchen.
I was happy that my mom already accepted him into the family. This just makes it easier when I begin dating him. I shut the door, lock it, and head over the to kitchen.
"Meet my husband" my mom hugs my dad from behind.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Grant" Alan greets and offers him a handshake.
My cousin, Yuna throws a pillow at me while smirking on the couch, teasing me. I pick up the pillow and chuck it back to her face.
At exactly 6:00 P.M, all the food was ready to eat. Everyone begins munching on the food, but I suddenly realize that Alan sort of looks different. He looks bothered by something.
He hasn't touched his food at all. He doesn't frown or anything, his face is just set in a neutral state. He was just smiling earlier.
"Alan, is something wrong?" I asked him.
He stared at the food in silence. I felt sorry for him, even though I didn't know what was in his mind. Maybe I said something he didn't like earlier.
"Alan, do you want to step outside for fresh air?" My dad asked.
We're all confused, but we try our best to to talk to him, but not a single word comes from him. The silence break when his phone starts ringing.
He reaches into his pocket, picks up the phone, and says "Ready" in a monotone voice; lowering his phone from his ear.
"Ready for what? Who was that?" My dad immediately asked.
Suddenly, he bites his lips and grabs his plate of food, throwing it towards my father, hitting his forehead.
The plate shatters as my mom screams in fear "What are you doing!!?"
"Alan!!" I shouted "What the fuck!!?"
We had no time to act when Alan grabs a piece of shard from the plate and jumps onto my dad, stabbing him in the chest multiple times. My mom tries to stop him until the door breaks open.
A gang appears before my eyes as they hit me in the head. I fall to the ground as my visions begin to blur "Mom!!!" I scream.
"It's time!" The man shouted.
I watch as multiple men grab my mom and throw her to the ground. One grabs my little brother as he screams and cries. The man slits his throat, stopping his cries as blood splatters all over the table.
I quickly got up "Grayson!" I shouted "Mom!!"
The men charge at me and crashes into me down to the floor. They tied me up and sat me in the middle of the living room as I watched the men inappropriately touching Yuna.
"Stop!! Stop!!!! Stop!!!" I screamed "Alan!! Alan!! What the fuck, Alan!!!"
I watch as Alan stands up; my dad's body in a pool of blood. Alan's hands and legs were covered in blood.
"We got what we wanted. Alan, kill them off" the man says.
The other men carry me and Yuna as I watch Alan repeatedly stabbing my mom. I tried to scream, but my mouth was covered. I tried kicking, but I was too weak. All I could do was watch Alan, who I thought was the love of my life; who I thought was going to take care of me; who I thought I was going love forever.
He finishes off my mom with a head stab.
The men take me and Yuna out of the house and put me and Yuna in the van with the other criminals as they drove off from my house.
I thought to myself, all of this is just for me? Just for young girls? Just for the feeling of pleasure? What a cruel world we live in. What a cruel world we fucking live in.
As the van speeds away from my house, tears continue to stream down my face.
WAREHOUSE, PRESENT DAY, APRIL 20, 1989
"Are we free? Are we?" My tears slowly stream down my face while I watch the helicopters in the sky flying towards our direction. I kept an enraged expression as revenge consumes my mind.
I turn to Veronica "I thought that I'd finally be happy as long as I'm with Alan. I thought he loved me"
Veronica hugged me "We all did," she said.
"He manipulated us" I added and hug her tightly.
"Let's get you girls some clothes and get to a hospital" the paramedics arrive.
I was on the bed in the ambulance as the vehicle drove off. I lay on my back while looking up at the lights in the ambulance.
"Yuna," I said to myself "Grayson" I continued "Mom, Dad" I cried.
The paramedics try to comfort me, but nothing is working. In my head, all I could think of was Alan. I want him to pay for what he did. I want him to suffer like me. I want to kill his entire family. I want to watch him take his last breath as I torture him and make him feel the worst agonizing pain he's ever felt. I will make it happen.
TO BE CONTINUED....